Comparison of the different practices and the various aspirations (of mankind) to the disagreement of those who at prayer-time endeavour to find the qibla (direction of Mecca) when it is dark, and to the search of divers (for pearls) at the bottom of the sea.

هم‌چو قومی که تحری می‌کنند ** بر خیال قبله سویی می‌تنند

(They are) like folk trying to find (the direction of the Ka‘ba) and (each) turning in a certain direction which they fancy is the qibla:

چونک کعبه رو نماید صبحگاه ** کشف گردد که کی گم کردست راه 330

When at dawn the Ka‘ba appears, it is discovered who has lost the (right) way;

یا چو غواصان به زیر قعر آب ** هر کسی چیزی همی‌چیند شتاب

Or like divers under the depth of the (sea)-water, every one (of whom) picks up something in haste:

بر امید گوهر و در ثمین ** توبره پر می‌کنند از آن و این

In hope of (getting) precious jewels and pearls, they fill their bags with that and this;

چون بر آیند از تگ دریای ژرف ** کشف گردد صاحب در شگرف

When they come up from the floor of the deep sea, the possessor of the great pearls is discovered,

وآن دگر که برد مروارید خرد ** وآن دگر که سنگ‌ریزه و شبه برد

And (also) the other who got the small pearls, and the other who got (only) pebbles and worthless shells.

هکذی یبلوهم بالساهره ** فتنة ذات افتضاح قاهره 335

Even thus in the Sáhira (place of Judgement) a shameful overwhelming tribulation will afflict them (the followers of phantasy).

هم‌چنین هر قوم چون پروانگان ** گرد شمعی پرزنان اندر جهان

Similarly, every class of people in the world are fluttering like moths round a candle.

خویشتن بر آتشی برمی‌زنند ** گرد شمع خود طوافی می‌کنند

They attach themselves to a fire and circle round their own candle

بر امید آتش موسی بخت ** کز لهیبش سبزتر گردد درخت

In the hope of (gaining) the blessed fire of Moses, by the flame whereof the tree is made more green (flourishing).

فضل آن آتش شنیده هر رمه ** هر شرر را آن گمان برده همه

Every troop (of them) has heard of the excellence of that fire, and all imagine that any spark is that (same fire).

چون برآید صبحدم نور خلود ** وا نماید هر یکی چه شمع بود 340

When the Light of Everlastingness rises at dawn, each (candle) reveals what (manner of) candle it was.

هر کرا پر سوخت زان شمع ظفر ** بدهدش آن شمع خوش هشتاد پر

Whosoever's wings were burnt by the candle of victory, that goodly candle bestows on him eighty wings;

جوق پروانه‌ی دو دیده دوخته ** مانده زیر شمع بد پر سوخته

(But) beneath the bad candle many a moth, whose eyes were sealed, is left (lying) with burnt wings,

می‌طپد اندر پشیمانی و سوز ** می‌کند آه از هوای چشم‌دوز

Quivering in sorrow and anguish, lamenting the vain desire that seals the eyes.

شمع او گوید که چون من سوختم ** کی ترا برهانم از سوز و ستم

Its candle says (to it), “Since I am burnt, how should I deliver thee from burning (grief) and oppression?”

شمع او گریان که من سرسوخته ** چون کنم مر غیر را افروخته 345

Its candle weeps, saying, “My head is consumed: how should I make another resplendent?”

تفسیر یا حسرة علی العباد

[Explanation of “Alas for the servants (of God)!”]

او همی گوید که از اشکال تو ** غره گشتم دیر دیدم حال تو

It (the moth) says, “I was deceived by thy (outward) features and (too) late did I regard thy (inward) condition.”

شمع مرده باده رفته دلربا ** غوطه خورد از ننگ کژبینی ما

The candle is extinguished, the wine is gone, and the Beloved has withdrawn himself from the disgrace of our squintness.

ظلت الارباح خسرا مغرما ** نشتکی شکوی الی الله العمی

Thy profits have become a loss and penalty: thou complainest bitterly to God of thy blindness.

حبذا ارواح اخوان ثقات ** مسلمات ممنات قانتات

How excellent are the spirits of brethren trustworthy, self-surrendering, believing, obeying!

هر کسی رویی به سویی برده‌اند ** وان عزیزان رو به بی‌سو کرده‌اند 350

Every one (else) has turned his face in some direction, but those holy ones have turned towards that which transcends direction.

هر کبوتر می‌پرد در مذهبی ** وین کبوتر جانب بی‌جانبی

Every (other) pigeon flies on some course, but this pigeon (flies) in a region where no region is.

ما نه مرغان هوا نه خانگی ** دانه‌ی ما دانه‌ی بی‌دانگی

We are neither birds of the air nor domestic (fowls): our grain is the grain of grainlessness.

زان فراخ آمد چنین روزی ما ** که دریدن شد قبادوزی ما

Our daily bread is so ample because our stitching the coat (of bodily existence) has become the tearing (of it to pieces).

سبب آنک فرجی را نام فرجی نهادند از اول

The reason why the name farají was first given to the garment known by that name.

صوفیی بدرید جبه در حرج ** پیشش آمد بعد به دریدن فرج

A certain Súfí tore his jubba in distress: after (its) tearing, relief (faraj) came to him.

کرد نام آن دریده فرجی ** این لقب شد فاش زان مرد نجی 355

He bestowed the name farají on that torn (garment): from that man (who was) a confidant (of God) this title became well known.

این لقب شد فاش و صافش شیخ برد ** ماند اندر طبع خلقان حرف درد

This title became well known; but (only) the (Súfí) Shaykh apprehended the pure (essence) thereof: in the nature of the (common) people the (mere) letter, (which is) the dregs, remained.

هم‌چنین هر نام صافی داشتست ** اسم را چون دردیی بگذاشتست

Similarly, (with) every name, he (the Shaykh) has kept the pure (essence) and left the (mere) name behind, like dregs.

هر که گل خوارست دردی را گرفت ** رفت صوفی سوی صافی ناشکفت

Whosoever is a clay-eater (corporealist) took the dregs, (but) the Súfí went impatiently towards the pure (essence).

گفت لابد درد را صافی بود ** زین دلالت دل به صفوت می‌رود

He said (to himself), “Of necessity the dregs have a pure (essence): by means of this indication the heart advances to purity.”

درد عسر افتاد و صافش یسر او ** صاف چون خرما و دردی بسر او 360

The dregs are difficulty and their pure (essence) is their ease: the pure (essence) is like the ripe date, and the dregs (are like) the date in its immature stage.

یسر با عسرست هین آیس مباش ** راه داری زین ممات اندر معاش

Ease is accompanied by difficulty; come, do not despair: through this death thou hast the way into Life.